A compressor... pure humbug?

I could make a poll out of it, but I want to know how you guys (and girls...OK... ) feel about this issue:

I'm using the EBS Octabass, Unichorus and the BassIQ in the bands' music and sometimes the gain is really too high for the band, when a particular sound is being created. (E.g. the BassIQ and the Octabass are both working). Therefore, reducing the gain...it would be a solution.

So the compressor comes up huh?

The point is... will that give me some satisfaction? Personally I don't like the compressed sound of a bass, it tends to diminish the real dynamics of the sound to me. In my opinion it is better to work on your technique then using a comp. So.. must I do something on the settings of the effects or just put the comp behind them and I'm done? (My technique is alright by the way, some 'studio people' think I'm almost a pro.)

A compressor reduces or limits the upper limit of the dynamic range. Basically, your loudest sounds are less loud. This allows you to increase the overall gain without being too loud, (or running out of headroom). This way your softest sounds are louder too. So a compressor does cut down on the volume, but only once it reaches a certain value, called the threshold.

A compressor will fix your gain problem. But it is a bandaid that may or may not work for you. You may not like how compression changes your sound. On the other hand, most bass players like a little compression when playing in a loud band.

Compression is a must. Especially for me. I play finger style like Jaco used to (although not nearly as good), down on the string so I get a little pop; therefore, I won't play a note without compression. Or else I sound like CLANG-ring-ring-ring-ring-riiiiiiiing. Well, not that bad. I also use compression when I slap. Without compression, you get a lot of attack at the beggining of the note, then your sound peters off as you sustain. Compression will even it out so you can keep good dynamics throughout the song.

I've recently added a volume pedal to the end of my FX chain to solve the level changes caused by multiple effects. I also use a compressor but I don't need it to even out my playing, I use it for added punch and clarity in dense mixes.